Just the thought of the Northern Rockies under a blanket of fresh snow is enough to excite most skiers. Now imagine the solitude of a winter night, the sky blanketed in endless stars.

Escape the lift lines and experience the thrill of the backcountry. Photo: Pascal Beauvais

On a NOLS ski course, you’ll (re)discover the joy of backcountry skiing. Living and traveling in this wild environment requires new skills and offers new challenges. To be a competent and responsible backcountry winter traveler, you’ll need a strong foundation in avalanche education.

We will teach you the skills and put you in terrain where you need to make real decisions. This course is also excellent preparation for any big mountain expedition where snow and cold are everyday factors.

You’ll start with two days of telemark instruction at Grand Targhee Resort before heading into the backcountry with a pack and sled, where the snow is deep and the tracks are few. You’ll dig elaborate snow shelters and discover the tricks and systems for a lifetime of winter fun.

Because we know it can be hard to get away, and we know digging a snow shelter can seem like a big hurdle, we have designed a shorter, gentler progression for those 23 and older who either have less time or want a little more initial support.

While you will still be immersed in winter and learn to live and travel well, this expedition starts with two nights in a yurt—a unique man-made shelter complete with a wood stove. This allows participants to ease into winter and gain quick access to untracked skiing. It may also be the start of not-to-be-missed annual yurt trips with friends!

Backcountry Skiing 17 and Over Duration: 14 days Age: 17 and Over Tuition: $1,680 Dates: Jan. 4-Jan. 17, 2008 Feb. 10-Feb. 23, 2008 College Credit: (Optional) 2 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Skills Practicum Course start/end: Driggs, Idaho Equipment Deposit: $250 Fly in/out: Idaho Falls, Idaho Downloads: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

Backcountry Skiing 23 and Over Duration: 12 days Age: 23 and Over Tuition: $1,915 Dates: Dec. 29, 2007-Jan. 9, 2008 Feb. 24-March 6, 2008 College Credit: (Optional) 2 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Skills Practicum Course start/end: Driggs, Idaho Equipment Deposit: $250 Fly in/out: Idaho Falls, Idaho Downloads: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf) Note: Some of your time for the 23 and over course will be spent in a yurt - a manmade shelter complete with a wood stove for quick access to untracked skiing.

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Meet NOLS Skiing alumnus, Archie Clemins -- For 34 years, Admiral Archie Clemins has been giving orders and instruction, and watching some of the U.S. Navy's finest training others. But as a student on a NOLS winter skiing course in 1999, Clemins witnessed the teaching of "two of the finest instructors I've ever seen."